Eitai Bridge永代橋

Blue steel bridge that hints of bygone times

Its gentle curves spanning the Sumidagawa River, Eitai Bridge hints of yesteryear Tokyo and a life away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. There's no better way to enjoy the three-span bridge by taking a trip across it, or under it, via one of the low-lying ferries that head up and down the river.

Originally made of timber and built in 1696, the bridge was once immortalized in woodblock prints by artist Utagawa Hiroshige. A main thoroughfare then connecting commercial Tokyo to a major shrine, tragedy struck when Eitai Bridge collapsed in 1809, and later during the 1923 Great Kanto East Earthquake. Now comprised of blue steel and girders, be sure to stick around until evening. The illuminated bridge paves a glowing path across the river. With the Tokyo Skytree in the background, it makes for a picture-perfect photo opportunity.